Elk Ridge Trailblazers go shopping for United Way

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - The Trailblazers is a group of students at Elk Ridge Elementary School chosen for their leadership skills. Every year, the group chooses an organization to donate to. This year, they chose to donate items to United Way.

Seventy Trailblazers got off the bus and walked into the store with a $55 budget, a list and a mission.

The students were given options of what items to buy from the toiletries section, such as shampoo, though some of them were able to budget well enough to buy more than others.

“Everybody had the same list, but you can choose what to buy and what not to buy,” said Berklee Black, a Trailblazer. “We chose to buy everything.”

This giveaway is one of the club’s many good deeds. For three years now, the Trailblazers have raised money throughout the year for an organization of their choice. This year, they chose to aid the homeless people who benefit from United Way’s programs.

“One of our big fundraisers is selling hot chocolate,” said Erica Skoglund, Trailblazer leader. “So, they raised a little over $500 selling hot chocolate in our school.”

On top of practicing budgeting and calculating prices, the students also got to experience the feeling of giving back to their community.

“There’s a lot of people who are less fortunate or need a little extra, and knowing that we could help them was a really good opportunity,” said Trailblazer Kora Lawler.

Their donation will help United Way’s effort to help those in need.

Besides going on a shopping spree for items to donate, the group also received donations from other people to give forward to United Way.

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